Renault not flinching over Budkowski controversy

Renault is standing firm over criticism in its attempts to bring former FIA technical chief Marcin Budkowski to the team. The bosses of F1 have been meeting to discuss the proposed deal that will see Budkowski take up a major role within the Renault team.

Budkowski has had access to all the team's wind tunnels and has been provided insightful details about next year's aero packages. Budkowski recently stepped down from his FIA role and placed on a three-month gardening leave under Swiss law.

Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams and Force India have all made contact with Formula 1's CEO Chase Carey in an attempt to block the move from going ahead. Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has defended the team's tactics, claiming that they aren't in F1 to make friends.

"We want to be one of the top teams by 2020," Abiteboul told Sky. "It is at one time far away, but given we know what needs to be done, if you look at the 1.0-1.5 second gap between the midfield and the top teams, it is a big jump.

"And that is why we need to be aggressive in what we do to be there by 2020. In this sport, you are not here to make friends. Obviously there are ways to do things, and anything we do in terms of recruitment – not necessarily Marcin – we need to grow, Enstone needs badly to grow.

"When we took the place it was 475 people, it is now 620 people," the Fenchman added. "There is no secret that those people need to come from somewhere, and we have to go chasing from some of the other teams. So whatever we will do, we will make sure that it is done in a very loyal way and a very fair way to our competitors."

 

Fergal Walsh 

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Barron

    Posts: 625

    Business is business.. I notice McLaren is not objecting (publicly). I assume they will not want to rock the boat before they become a customer.

    • + 0
    • Oct 4 2017 - 10:17
  • boudy

    Posts: 1,168

    If the FIA doesn't step in than they will have an issue on there hands. It's not just an employee from another team but it's one of the FIA with knowledge that stredges across teams. I agree with Cyril that's this isn't RENAULT's problem. The FIA must act, not RENAULT. I believ that any other team would have done the same as them.

    • + 0
    • Oct 4 2017 - 12:01
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    How French. If I can't develop it myself you must give it to me. I have a simple solution if any tech shows up on a Renault its points are given to the team they stole it from. I believe McLaren and Ferrari had an issue like this 300 million euro?

    • + 0
    • Oct 4 2017 - 14:01

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar